$53 Million In Jewels Stolen In Massive Heist In France

A staggering 40 million euro ($53 million) worth of diamonds and
other jewels were stolen from an Israeli billionaire in Cannes on
Sunday in what’s being described as “one of Europe’s biggest
jewelry heists recent years,” according to French police.

The Associated Press reported that the theft occurred at the
Carlton Intercontinental Hotel which was hosting a jewelry
exhibition this summer from the Leviev diamond house, owned by
Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev.

According to the AP:

A police spokesman said the theft took place around noon, but
he could not confirm local media reports that the robber was a
single gunman who stuffed a suitcase with the gems before
making a swift exit. The spokesman spoke on condition of
anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter
on the record.

Several police officers were placed in front of the Carlton
exhibition room to prevent journalists and photographers
gathered at the scene from entering.

The AP described the hotel as being situated “on the exclusive
Promenade de la Croisette that stretches a mile and a half along
the French Riviera, and is thronged by the rich and famous
throughout the year” and is especially popular among film stars
attending the annual Cannes Film Festival.

It also reports that the hotel’s location has not only a
beautiful sea view, “but an easy get away for potential jewel
thieves along the long stretch of road.”

Hotel officials haven’t commented, and the AP’s attempts to reach
Leviev and his company were not immediately successful.

This weekend’s theft comes on the heels of the daring escape from
a prison in Switzerland on Thursday by a member the notorious
“Pink Panther” jewel thief gang.

Quoting police, the AP reported that the convicted jewel thief
escaped “after accomplices rammed a gate and overpowered guards
with bursts from their AK-47s”:

Poparic fled with fellow inmate Adrian Albrecht from the Orbe
prison in the western state of Vaud.

Police say the Pink Panthers network’s members are prime
suspects in a series of daring thefts. According to Interpol,
the group has targeted luxury watch and jewelry stores in
Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States, netting
more than €330 million (£285m) since 1999.

Poparic is the third member of the Pink Panthers to escape from
a Swiss prison in as many months, according to Vaud police.

So far French police won’t say how many gems were stolen from the
exhibition that was supposed to continue through August.